Firsts

Old-kitchen
(A photo from my kitchen in our first house.)

 

– Sophie brought in the Stinky Cat (which is the neighbor's cat.)

– Then she told me to re-paint my antique armoire that I love and painted years ago.

– Which lead me to re think the color of the armoire.

 

    Chelsea and sacha
(Photo: Last summer: Chelsea acting silly, Sacha acting tough in the kitchen.)

– Then Sacha told me he liked the orange armoire, when I thought he didn't like antiques. In fact last year he asked me, "Mom what is the most valuable thing in our house?" I thought it a strange question and told him so. He gave me the sideways look one does when being sneaky and teasing all at once, "Because if you and dad die before Chelsea and me, I want to pick the good stuff, to resale it you know. So I want to be one up on Chelsea." Then he laughed at his own joke.

 

Orange-peel

 

Later I asked Chelsea, if she knew what the most valuable thing was in our house. She looked at me oddly and said, "No. Why?" So I gave her that sideways look that Sacha gave me and said, "Because Sacha knows. And he isn't even studying for a masters in business. He is calculating what to scoop on to resale if we die before him." Chelsea laughed and then said, "…And what should I scoop up first?"

Well considering most the stuff is our house is old, peeling, chipped, cracked, faded, worn… and only valuable to one person's eyes (mine!) I told them to take the orange armoire 'cause it has the chocolate inside. And is a son of a gun to lift.

 

   Inside-the-armoire
(Photo: Inside the old cupboard that I painted grey.)

– Repainting old furniture doesn't necessarily devalue it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But repainting certain antique furniture does. The orange armoire use to be green, and before that grey. When I bought the armoire it was peeling, faded and beyond hope of saving either of those colors that I adore. I painted it red terra which looks burnt orange.

 - Like usually I read everyone's reponses, yesterday's post was not exception…interesting and good advice. The desk: Now that is a hot topic! I am leaning on painting it….. yikes… and I never thought I would. Lisa's response to painting the armoire, Aubergine truly intrigued me. And that is the biggest first ever.

– The second biggest first… I will wait until after we return from China to make a decision (many of you advised me too.) Unless, Sophie of courses paints it while I am gone.

 



Comments

13 responses to “Firsts”

  1. still holding on to my advice NOT to paint the antique desk but at a loss what you call armoire. I mean I know what an armoire IS but you also spoke about cupboards, etc…. See what I mean! Aubergine is very daring and it will make a statement of the strongest kind. If you like that; go for it – but think hard before reaching to those paints! I also agree that some furniture can only gain by (another) layer of paint… and others shouldn’t be touched with a paint brush. Up to you to decide. Love your photos in this post….. and I feel I have a friend out there somewhere; a friend I will meet one day – I am sure of this… maybe you’ll come to our house to house-sit in summer???? Do you like gardening (rather watering the garden)?….. :)))
    Wish you a happy day, Corey.
    Love, Kiki

  2. ellen cassilly

    I like the aubergine for the desk. It is small enough that it won’t over power the kitchen and it will look great against the papered wall. E

  3. Hi Corey,
    I was going to write a few words to you yesterday, but I’m still sick, in my second week, so I can not do much more than ead and look at your beautiful pictures. I must say that you live so tremendously beautiful! And all your furniture is just as great. The big red orange cabinet is fantastic, and I think it’s exactly the color that makes it stand out so well too. The eyes are immediately drawn to it. I’m even not so hugely fond of the color, but it’s suit it very well. So I would have kept it that way. It gives warmth to the room alos, and so it fits so well to the floor! But all in all, it depends on what kind of mood you want to give the room of course…
    I Want to wish you a wonderful weekend, I myself shall see and clear away the towers of paper towels that are stacked here and there. I blow my nose every two minutes ..
    Love, Aina

  4. Take the break in China to think and then you will see your kitchen with fresh eyes, and then go with your gut, always the best decision
    it never fails.
    Enjoy China, I know that you will have a feast, for the eyes that is.

  5. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    I would still leave the desk as is…looks great against the “wallpaper”. Did you check out Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint? I think you’ll find just the right color to transform the cupboard. I am passionate about Annie’s paints!! Am painting everything in sight…lol! But the key is the dark wax which you brush on (yes, brush…so easy) and then wipe off to get that antique look. Oh, I just can’t say enough about these paints and her wax 🙂 If you can purchase her book, Paint Transformations, you will see various techniques and many tips, too.

  6. Good luck! Wow, you weren’t kidding, when you get on a roll you get things done. I hope Sophie and SC enjoy their house sitting adventure together.

  7. Everton Terrace

    I think I really like Sophie 🙂

  8. I have a cabinet that was black when we bought it. We did strip it and left the wood. I still wonder if I de-valued it, but I definitely wouldn’t have liked the black. It had been in a garage and was oily. I can see the aubergine on your cabinet, it would look pretty. Still can’t see the desk painted.

  9. “I told them to take the orange armoire ’cause it has the chocolate inside. And is a son of a gun to lift.”
    Corey–it is your phrases like this that keep me coming back!

  10. Corey, I’m so glad you said the armoire had already been painted recently! I’m not a decorator but IMVVHO, I don’t think I would paint it black since it would look so much like the “pottery barn” look that’s been so popular for so long (disclaimer: I like the pb look but not for french antiques) I would leave the armoire as is (love it!)and if you want to paint the desk black I think it would work well against the collage. It’s hard to tell but it looks as if the desk has some scuffing to it?? — I have a desk I brought back from France that I have considered painting because the top is very worn but haven’t had the time or courage yet. I know you’ll make the right decision — you have such an artistic touch!

  11. What ever you do dont paint raw timbre funiture. Unpainting it is a pain.

  12. Brenda, Kindred Hearts Antiques

    Hi, Corey!
    Waiting to make a decision is always the best choice! Perhaps you will like the red after seeing China! Perhaps you will have a completely new color altogether! ( I just saw it as teal in my mind! )
    Now, the picture you posted of the light grey cabinet? I see those Octagonal shaped dinner plates inside and my heart throbs! If you would have time to photo them, I’d love to see them up close! I can imagine them at your farm table, how nice!

  13. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I like Ellen’s comments. And aubergine will look good with the orange, if you keep that.
    Bon voyage, for whenever you go.

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